Kutztown Boy Scout Troop 101 kayaks on a sea adventure in Outer Banks

Boy Scout Troop 101 from St. John’s Lutheran in Kutztown left on a Sea Kayak Adventure to the Outer Banks in North Carolina Aug. 4 to 9.

The troop took 13 scouts and seven leaders to the adventure based out of the East Carolina Council Scout camp known as Pamlico Sea Base.

After arrival Sunday afternoon, the troop spent a few hours getting to know the kayaks and learning the techniques required to get in and out of the kayak in deep water without tipping over. Monday morning would begin their adventure.

Monday - Up at 6 a.m. for breakfast, loaded kayaks and drove two hours to Harkers Island. Here they ate lunch and put into the sound. This shake out trip would be a 10 mile trip with a stop at Shackleford Banks. Shackleford is the home to wild ponies, but only one was willing to show himself to the troop.

That evening they set up camp on Cape Lookout on the beach under the Lighthouse. NO time to enjoy the waves, only time to set up camp and a meal of rice and canned chicken, and sand.

Tuesday - Up at 5a.m., broke camp and down to the water by 6a.m., but due to BUGNADO - a swarm of no-see-um bugs eating the troop alive, they shoved off the shore without breakfast as fast as they could, quickly trying to get away from the shore and bugs. After getting about half mile from shore the bugs left and the troop could finally scarf down some granola bars. This day the troop would cover 12 miles in five and a half hours without any stops.

The Troop arrived at Fish Camp #1 by 11:30a.m. The scouts set up camp on the ocean beach side of the island and were able to spend a few hours wave jumping and enjoying the sun. The “older” leaders rubbed sore muscles and prepared for the next day. Supper that evening was cooked on the beach and consisted of Chili Mac, and sand.

Wednesday - In order to try and avoid the bug attack of the previous morning the troop got up at 4:30 in the morning and enjoyed a small breakfast of granola. They shoved off just prior to 6a.m. with only MINOR BUG issues. This day the troop does 18 miles, with three stops to stretch legs and snack. They also have to drag the boats across some sand bars and deal with some inconsiderate boaters making waves to fight.

They arrive at Fish Camp #2 at 2 p.m., after eighthours of paddling. This was the third beautiful camp on the Ocean side of the island. Boys still find time to spend about 2 hours in the waves before their energy starts to wane. The supper this night was cuscus and (of course) sand.

Thursday – the Troop is up at 2:15a.m. and on the water at 4a.m. for a night crossing of the Core Sound (this is the calmest time of the day). NO MOON, only stars and glow sticks tied to the kayaks to guide us across two miles of open, choppy water. The sky was amazingly clear and the algae in the sound were luminescent. Even with these incredible sights, most are concentrating hard on keeping their kayak in line. No one wants to fall behind in the dark.

The sound is crossed just before the sunrise. They finish the last six miles in the bay and arrive at Cedar Island by 7a.m., having made eight miles in three hours.

The Troop caught the Ferry at Cedar Island to the visit the Island of Ocracoke. They get to visit the Lighthouse; Blackbeard’s Museum, visit some shops and had a well-deserved meal WITHOUT sand. The Scouts spent the night on Ocracoke and returned to Sea base and then Home to Kutztown on Saturday.